The benefits for all students both Indigenous and non-indigenous are undeniable. All students like to explore, ask questions and listen to stories. When a child feels, valued, heard and appreciated you are impacting them beyond the classroom. The begin to stand taller, are confident people. We all need to reconnect and re-imagine different ways to inspire and awaken our spirit for me that is through taking an Indigenous approach to teaching. I know there are educators out there that do not see the benefits because they are programmed to believe education is to input knowledge into our students and tell them how to act and think. When I engage in conversations like this my mind goes back to "what is the purpose of schooling?".
I feel that schooling or the art of educating is, can and should be a collaborative effort between student, teacher, parents, guardians, elders, knowledge keepers, administrators and sponsors. When everyone has the same vision for their children the benefits will become clear.
For example
Benefits for Classroom Application - (consensus-based decision-making)
Mentorship program - Balance - teachings based on Medicine wheel
Classroom Management is easier
Discussions - sharing circles - equality - importance and value in each person
Creating student generated success criteria for the classroom - “classroom Norms”
Delivery of curriculum is fluid
All members are personally invest in the success of the students
Decolonization using an Indigenous approach is caring, nurturing and supporting and from what I can see this is good for all children both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
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